Nirupama Rao, Indian Envoy To The U.S., Bids Farewell To Her Diplomatic Career

"An honour to be hosted to farewell @StateDept. Touched by Secretary Kerry's message and presence of so many friends and colleagues," Rao tweeted after the reception. Rao is one of the few diplomats who has over 190,000 followers on the microblogging site.

At the reception, she was described as "tireless champion" of Indo-U.S. Strategic Partnership and that during her two-year tenure; the bilateral relationship has reached new heights.

She was accompanied by her husband and former Chief Secretary of Karnataka Sudhakar Rao.

Last week, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns hosted a luncheon for her at the State Department.

The Indian-American community and the U.S. India Business Council also hosted receptions for her last week.

Rao also hosted a farewell reception at her residence last week, which was attended by top American diplomats and members of the Indian-American community.

Among those attended the reception were U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Biswal and her predecessor Robert Blake; and U.S. the Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy.

Rao will be succeeded by S Jaishankar, currently India's Ambassador to China.